• 09 Feb 2021
• 0

What features must be included within a social media app? A developer’s opinion

Social media apps are something that people use a lot; for personal and professional reasons. Why do businesses need this app? Here is the answer.

Hybrid apps are comparatively newer in the app market, yet, they are widely popular. These apps can simultaneously work across different platforms, and they are wrapped in a native app’s shell. Due to these reasons, they offer convenience and the best user-experience.

You will find several apps that are actually hybrid. These include:

• Instagram
• Twitter
• Gmail
• Sworkit
• Evernote
• Baskin Robbins
• Uber 

Aside from these, apps like Cryptochange, Justwatch, and Untappd deserve special mention. If a business wants to create such an app, then approaching a hybrid app development company in Kolkata will be the best idea.

Among all the apps, social media apps are the most popular. Now, why should a business get this app? Well, for a couple of reasons. The first and foremost reason is to reach and engage with customers. People love to engage on social media and learn about new things. For this reason, a social media app can prove to be beneficial for a company.

Second, it can help a business boost its brand awareness. If the organization is a startup, it may struggle to get the word out in the market. Of course, it does not have a strong brand presence in the online community, not yet. Social media can help the company with that without spending a lot of time and money.

Even large organizations can benefit from having a social media app. It can connect with people and learn what they are thinking without any hassle. So, these are the benefits of having this app. This brings us to the next important question; what features must be added to this app? In this next section, we will discuss that.

1. Login/Registration

People can create an account using their phone number or email id, and a password. People then have to provide some details during the account creation process. After the initial verification is over, Users can use the same credentials to login into the account. 

2. Profile creation and update

In this section, people can provide some detail regarding their likes and dislikes, and similar information. After that, people can also update the profile whenever required.   

3. Post creation and interactive tools

This is the main reason for having a social media app. People must post the latest updates and content according to their preferences. Not only texts, but it must support images and video posts too. Also, they can see how many people have seen the post and reacted to it.  

4. Notifications and newsfeed

This option allows people to see what others have been talking about and check their newsfeed. People can check the photos, videos, and other media and viral posts. The options of like, comment, and share must be there to engage with these people directly.

5. Search

This option allows people to search for new friends, and send friend requests, and accept them as well. The option to reject these requests should be there too.   

6. Chat

This option allows people to send messages to people and converse with them efficiently. It is an essential option, and it can help a company create a community for personal and professional reasons.   

7. Push notifications

People will receive push notifications whenever someone updates a post or does some activity. Also, people can receive notifications regarding important events, dates, and such. Even when developing a social media-based website, developers must include this option.  

8. Social media integrations

Nowadays, people are active across different social media platforms and want to traverse between them easily. A social media app or website must include other social media profile integrations, like WhatsApp, Snapchat, etc.     

9. Privacy and security

These are two essential factors that must be kept in mind, whether the app is hybrid, iOS, or Android. Security will allow people to access this app securely without worry about data loss and loss of privacy.

A secure app will help a business gain new customers, followers, likes, and shares. Also, it will allow a business to establish a strong and reliable connection with the customers.     

10. Settings 

This option is to help people block or unblock, or mute notifications. It can also help them hide or lock profiles or delete an account if required.

Some of the popular social media apps that can act as inspiration are mentioned here.

A. Instagram

Its features are as follows:  

• Search
• Filters
• Instagram Direct, Instagram TV, and Instagram Stories
• Monetization
• Apps and third-party services

B. Twitter               

These are the top features to look at:

• Content, headlines, and polls
• Trending topics
• Verified accounts
• Third-party applications
• Authentication  
• Video

C. Linkedin

This is a social media platform that is mostly designed for professionals. What are its top features?

• Career and recruitment options
• Job search solutions
• Sales options 

From the points mentioned above, it is clear that this app has a lot of scope and potential. It is essential to speak with the experts before making any decision. These people will analyze the business’s requirements and choose the appropriate technology.

Then the designers will create the schematics, upon which developers will start working. They will create an MVP (Minimally Viable Product) for clients to see and review the application. After the initial changes, the final product will be ready for testing.

The tests will ensure that the app offers what people are looking for. The app must be easy to download and install, and it should load within a few moments. Also, the user interface must not be clumsy and cluttered with unnecessary elements.

Both aesthetics and performance matter, so testers will check these aspects. After all the testing is done, the app is ready to be launched in the App stores. Now, companies will have to wait and gauge the reaction from the app’s users. Developers can use this feedback to update, maintain and modify the app’s features and other characteristics. Regular maintenance will ensure that the app is compatible with the latest technologies and can withstand any security issues. To ensure all that, professional assistance is needed, which is offered by a mobile app development company.